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Otto spent his entire 15-year career with the
Raiders, who moved to Las Vegas ahead of the 2020 season.
Oakland was playing as a member of the AFL for Otto's first 10
seasons (1960-69).
"The Raiders Family is in deep mourning following the passing of
Jim Otto ... The Original Raider," the team said in a statement
on Sunday. "The personification of consistency, Jim's influence
on the American Football League and professional football as a
whole cannot be overstated."
One of three players to play in all 140 AFL regular-season
games, Otto started 210 games for the Raiders in all. No one
else started at center from his first game in 1960 to his last
in 1974.
Despite the remarkable consistency from season to season, Otto
did deal with his fair share of injuries, and he had to have
over 70 surgeries, most of which related to his knees. Because
of two serious infections, Otto had to have his right leg
amputated in 2007, and he also fought prostate cancer.
Otto landed in the Hall of Fame in 1980 -- the first year he was
eligible. He was named to the NFL 100 All-Time team in 2019.
Even when his playing days were over, Otto stayed involved with
the Raiders organization, serving as the director of special
projects. During his time in that role, Otto set up reunions for
former players and made public appearances as a representative
for the team.
Otto was also known for wearing No. 00, an ode to the two O's in
his last name. However, NFL players nowadays cannot select that
number.
"‘00' was the foundational piece of a transcendent offensive
line that not only propelled the Raiders to success on the field
but resonated with fans and helped build the Raiders persona and
mystique," the team said in its statement.
Otto is survived by his wife, a son, his daughter-in-law and 14
grandchildren.
--Field Level Media [© 2024 Thomson Reuters. All rights
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